#article 7

EU28: European Parliament overwhelmingly approves an unprecedented draft motion urging Article 7 proceedings against Hungary over its human rights record. If approved by 27 members of the European Council, Hungary could have its voting rights suspended.#Hungary #SOTEU pic.twitter.com/X8gScbobBC

— Europe Elects (@EuropeElects) September 12, 2018

This is really worrying for European unity. Article 7 was never designed to be actually used. It was designed as the threat so this would never happen. 

Hungary was handed all opportunities to avoid this. But unfortunately, Viktor Orban ignored them all. It almost felt like he wanted to test them, to find out if the EU would be willing to take this step.

If the EU would have not stood up, the threat designed as a deterrence would have become an idle threat and lost all respect. 

Tough choice nevertheless. 

Breaking News:

EU-Abgeordnete für Strafverfahren gegen Ungarn (ORF) https://orf.at/stories/3014202/

EU Parliament votes to trigger Article 7 sanctions procedure against Hungary (DW) https://www.dw.com/en/eu-parliament-votes-to-trigger-article-7-sanctions-procedure-against-hungary/a-45459720

In a crucial ruling with broad implications on how multinational companies are taxed in India, the Supreme Court on Thursday held that UAE-based Hyatt International Southwest Asia, which provides hotel advisory services in India, has a taxable Permanent Establishment (PE) in the country. A bench comprising Justices J.B. Pardiwala and R. Mahadevan upheld Delhi High Court’s earlier decision, which…

With Town Meetings 104-42 approval of Article 7 last night, the Town of Reading will be eliminating all current household trash and recycling containers in the coming year. There will also be a reduction from 128 gallons of trash and 1 large item per household to 64 gallons and no large items. One additional trash barrel may be leased through the town for $200 a year or you can purchase special…

The Council will hold a hearing on Article 7 proceedings against Hungary on 10 December, Finnish Council presidency representative told the European Parliament’s (EP) committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs.

Several MEPs expressed their disappointment that Parliament representatives will not attend the hearing, despite the EP’s request to participate. The decision to continue proceedings over determining whether Hungary is in serious breach of the EU’s core values comes amid reports of new rules undermining judicial independence.

The Council held its first general hearing on 16 September, almost a year after the Parliament triggered Article 7 proceedings against Hungary.

Bill Browder Strikes Back in Europe

“I am altering the deal. Pray I don’t alter it any further.” — The Empire Strikes Back

Since Vladimir Putin brought up Bill Browder’s name in Helsinki events have escalated to a fever pitch.  Russia is under extreme attack the U.S./European financial and political establishment.

And part of that push is coming from Browder himself.  In July, just a week after Helsinki, Browder opened up a money…